The deceased, who was a project engineer with construction and design services in UP Jal Nigam, was a key accused in the Rs 5,000 crore NRHM scam. He allegedly shot himself in the head at his residence. Rushed to the hospital, Verma was declared dead by the doctors.

Suicide noteVerma allegedly left a suicide note citing his questioning by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which has been probing the scam, as the reason.

He also claimed that he had done nothing wrong and that none of his family members was responsible for his death.

Embarrassment to UP govtThe swindle has embarrassed the Mayawati government months ahead of the state's elections. The UPA government had launched its flagship NRHM scheme in 2005 and UP was the largest beneficiary.

The Mayawati government has been on the back foot ever since the scam involving siphoning off of huge funds provided by the Centre to UP came to light. The case was later transferred to the CBI after the courts intervened.

Among those who allegedly played a role in the embezzlement was Babu Singh Kushwaha, who as a minister for family welfare headed the department riddled with corruption and crime. He was sacked by Chief Minister Mayawati, but later accepted by the BJP a few weeks ago. After the BJP's decision backfired with many senior party leaders objecting to his entry, Kushwaha's membership of the BJP was suspended.

Four deaths related to NRHM scamThe NRHM scam has claimed four lives so far. The first death was that of chief medical officer (CMO) V. Arya, who was gunned down on October 27, 2010. Another CMO V.P. Singh was killed on April 2, 2011.

On June 22, 2011, Lucknow's deputy CMO Y.S. Sachan was found dead in a jail under mysterious circumstances. His relatives alleged that he too was murder. Verma's death is the latest related to the scam.